PANAJI
Expressing unhappiness towards growing resentment within party MLAs and leaders, the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, in a clear warning, directed everyone to restrict from making public statements and to resolve the issues within the party.
Though election bugle has not been sounded for Goa as yet, the ruling BJP has geared up its cadres by asking its newly elected Mandal chiefs to stay connected with the constituents throughout the year with the focus on 2027 elections.
Addressing the event organized to felicitate the elected Mandal president across 36 constituencies, Sawant said “whether it is good or bad…don’t make it public…don’t make statements in open…if anything discuss it with the party president or general secretary and try to resolve it within”.
The warning came a day after MLA Nilesh Cabral took on the Chief Minister accusing that despite assurance, several projects are held back in Curchorem constituency. He, however, on Monday claimed that he was misquoted by the media.
Meanwhile, while calling the Mandal chiefs as the face of the party in the constituencies, the Sawant appealed to them to work out strategies for those constituencies, where party has got no MLA at present. He also appealed to them to appraise the people of various public welfare schemes launched by the State and Narendra Modi-led government and ensure that benefits reach out to every deserving person.
“Mandal president is equal to the MLA… he is the face of the party in that constituency... many at times, the MLAs are not available and at that point, it is the duty of the Mandal president to work for the people,” he said adding ‘we will retain those constituencies where we have MLAs…but strategy is needed to win those where we have no MLA”.
He also urged cadres to focus on upcoming ZP and Municipal polls, which are due this year.
BJP has set age limits for mandal and district presidents. The maximum age limit for a mandal president is 45 years, and for a district president, it is 60 years. The criteria were put in place to infuse young blood into the party organisation to reach out to the grassroots in preparation for the 2027 assembly election, Sawant said.
